From: Lawrence Norbert,

Elder-in-training/GwichSA国际影视传媒檌n participant

On Sept. 26, 2000, the Greek ferry MS Express Samina struck rocks in the Bay of Parikia off the coast of Paras Island in the central Aegean Sea, resulting in 81 deaths and the loss of the ship. The cause of the accident was crew negligence, for which several members were found criminally liable, including abandoning ship without the captainSA国际影视传媒檚 permission.

How can anyone find anything dissimilar to an elected leader abandoning his or her place of office SA国际影视传媒� let alone region or area SA国际影视传媒� without permission from his or her electorate?

For that matter, how can the top executives of the GwichSA国际影视传媒檌n Tribal Council, i.e. the grand chief, the chief operating officer and the chief financial officer, plus the chief executive officer of the GwichSA国际影视传媒檌n Development Corporation, live and work from outside the GwichSA国际影视传媒檌n Settlement Region? Oh, and letSA国际影视传媒檚 not forget the GTC executive assistant position!

Would the citizens of the Tlicho Government or beneficiaries of the Inuvialuit Settlement Corporation accept such a move of their leader and executive officers to outside their regions? Would the Legislative Assembly of the Northwest Territories support such a move?

Well, folks, when poop hits the fan, some guys run and some guys stay. The TeetlSA国际影视传媒檌t GwichSA国际影视传媒檌n and Gwichya GwichSA国际影视传媒檌n leaders are here in the GwichSA国际影视传媒檌n Settlement Region facing the fire and thereSA国际影视传媒檚 our top SA国际影视传媒渓eaderSA国际影视传媒� hiding in the boardSA国际影视传媒檚 pocket in E-Town.

I donSA国际影视传媒檛 know if the Fort McPherson and Tsiigehtchic DGO leadersSA国际影视传媒� media silence is right or wrong. ISA国际影视传媒檓 not a judge or jury, but I say this: they wonSA国际影视传媒檛 desert their people to SA国际影视传媒榩ursueSA国际影视传媒� their futures down south. ThatSA国际影视传媒檚 called integrity and courage. ThatSA国际影视传媒檚 the stuff our leaders should be made of.

One measure of desertion is by leaving or remaining absent from oneSA国际影视传媒檚 organization or place of duty, where the intent is determined to be to avoid hazardous duty or shirk contractual obligation.

If the board is unable or unwilling to recall the grand chief, then they must call a special assembly that will provide direction, leadership and standards in ethics and leadership which reflect the best interests of the tribal council rather than the whims of one person! Otherwise, who knows if one or more of the GwichSA国际影视传媒檌n community leaders might also want to move south to reduce the cost of travel, of course.

For those of our true Elders and leaders who have passed on, fighting for decades for our GwichSA国际影视传媒檌n rights and land, bringing decision-making home to us, thankfully they are not here to witness this fiasco.